Speaking of water, fish, and climbing, Elk Creek (the creek that runs south to the Platte via the Bucksnort road) has a future that looks bleak. I don't have time tonight to get into it but you guys can by going to mywoodside.com/ and reading about the situation. Plus you can sign a on-line petition as an extra bonus to attempt to stop this drying up of Elk Creek by classic sleazy out of state developers. If the creek runs dry we loose habitat, dry up wells (even Joe's at the Snort) and the fire risk goes up as one can well imagine. I urge climbers who visit the Platte (if not all climbers) to read and sign. Thanks!

Hey Andrew, what weight rod are you using for the false albacore? I have been wanting to go for small tuna here in Hawaii off a kayak. I only have an 8wt. though. Do you think it is to light for such a hard fighting fish?

I was using a 10 weight for the false albacore, but took a strong 9 pound bluefish on a 8 weight without any trouble. With a good reel you and care you should be ok. You might be releasing some really tired out fish if you aren't keeping them though. I've never seen anything like the first run the bigger false albacore took - i was pretty worried about running out of backing.

My good friend and excellent climber Curtis Mai, author of Space Boyz and Snot Gurlz at El Potrero Chico, has pretty much given up climbing so he can do more fishin'. His idea of fun is to go out for shark in an inflatable kayak!!!

I'm just about to get a saltwater setup, and i'm really torn. I definitely only have the money for one rig right now(well, don't have that money either but what the hell). I need it because I am spending a couple of months at the start of the year driving as far south as I can get - at least Guatemala, maybe further. I'm mostly going to fly fish on the Pacific coast on the beach and inshore that I can get to on small boats. Guess i'll mostly be going for Roosterfish, Jacks, Grouper, Dorado, surfperch, etc. I'm thinking a 9 weight is probably going to be the most versatile rig for that, but boy do I wish I could afford an 8 and a 10.

Tough decision Andrew!. I took a stiff 7 WT (XP) to CostaRica/Nicaragua. It did fine in the estuaries and mangroves...but in the surf...I had to bow out to a few mystery fish (big roosters most likely) as I just didn't have the wood to turn 'em, and the rate they were peeling off backing...they were living la vida loco for a 7 WT!. (I knew I would be outgunned...but had to try right! It took some medium sized surf fish no problem)

I would go with the 10, and never look back. Better to have power on reserve, than no power when you need it! Sounds like a great trip...wish I was going!

Damn nice fish, I wish I had better fish out here to chase. My fishing grounds were flooded with a sewage spill... Yea still kinda scared to fish there (all wade fishing on flats). That Sage looks pretty nice. I am working an 8wt. St. Croix. It does pretty good until the trade winds start blowing hard then it lacks the punch to throw a big fly.